How to set up a screensaver in SiteKiosk Online

How to Set Up a Screensaver in SiteKiosk Online

This tutorial walks you through creating and configuring a screensaver (idle content) in your SiteKiosk Online project.

Step 1: Log In and Open Projects

1. Log in to your SiteKiosk Online account.
2. Navigate to the Projects menu.

Step 2: Create a New Project

1. Click Create New Project.
2. Select Start Screen Project.
3. Confirm to create the project.

Note: A screensaver is represented by a page with a screensaver icon. If you don’t see a page with the icon below yet, no screensaver is configured.

Step 3: Method 1 – Convert an Existing Page into a Screensaver

1. Select the page you want to use.
2. Click Edit.
3. Go to Display Condition.
4. Enable Display under these conditions.
5. Choose Screensaver (user is idle).
6. Save your changes.

Once configured, the page will display a screensaver icon, confirming it will be used as idle content.

Step 4: Configure Idle Time

1. Click the Settings button in your project.
2. Go to Idle and Logout.
3. Set the Idle Timeout (e.g., 5 minutes).

After this time:

• The user session is cleared.

• Cache and cookies are reset.

• The screensaver (idle content) is displayed until a user interacts with the device.

Step 5: Method 2 – Create a Screensaver Page Directly

1. Click Add New Page.
2. Select Screensaver Page.

This automatically assigns the correct display condition.

You can choose:

• Pre-built screensaver templates

• A Sequence Container (recommended for dynamic content)

Example: A sequence can rotate images, videos, PDFs, or web pages in a loop until user interaction resumes.

Step 6: Method 3 – Copy and Customize a Template

1. Open an existing page/template you like.
2. Copy the page.
3. Paste it into your current project.
4. Rename the page (e.g., “Screensaver Info Board”).
5. Edit the page and set its Display Condition to Screensaver.

You can now customize content such as:

• Text and images

• Events or announcements (manual updates required)

• Widgets like time, weather (auto-updating)

• Optional additions like calendars

Step 7: Verify Your Screensaver

• Ensure the page shows the screensaver icon.

• Confirm idle timeout is set correctly.

• Test by letting the device sit idle until the screensaver activates.

Example Use Case

A retail kiosk might use a sequence screensaver to cycle:

• Promotional images

• Short product videos

• A web-based catalog preview

This keeps the display engaging while attracting users when the kiosk is idle.

FAQ: How to set up a screensaver in SiteKiosk Online

Q: What is a screensaver in SiteKiosk Online?
A: A screensaver is idle content that displays automatically when a device is not in use for a set period of time. It can show images, videos, web pages, or other interactive content to attract users.

Q: How do I know if a page is set as a screensaver?
A: Screensaver pages display a screensaver icon in the project. This indicates the page will appear when the device is idle.

Q: How long does it take for the screensaver to activate?
A: The activation time depends on the Idle Timeout setting configured under >Settings >Idle and Logout. For example, if set to 5 minutes, the screensaver will appear after 5 minutes of inactivity.

Q: What happens before the screensaver is displayed?
A: SiteKiosk clears the previous user session, including cache and cookies, before displaying the screensaver content.

Q: Can I use any page as a screensaver?
A: Yes, any page can be turned into a screensaver by editing its Display Condition and selecting “Screensaver (user is idle).”

Q: What is the easiest way to create a screensaver page?
A: The simplest method is to add a new page and select the “Screensaver Page” option, which automatically applies the correct settings.

Q: What type of content can I use in a screensaver?
A: You can include images, videos, PDFs, web pages, or rotating content using a sequence container.

Q: What is a sequence container?
A: A sequence container allows you to display multiple pieces of content (like images or videos) in a loop, making it ideal for dynamic screensavers.

Q: Can I customize a pre-built screensaver template?
A: Yes, you can copy a template into your project, rename it, and edit its content and display condition to use it as a screensaver.

Q: Does screensaver content update automatically?
A: Some elements like time and weather update automatically. Other content, such as text or event information, must be updated manually.

Q: Can I add calendars or live data to my screensaver?
A: Yes, you can add widgets like calendars or other dynamic content depending on your project setup.

Q: What should I do if my screensaver is not showing?
A: Check that:

• The page has the screensaver icon

• The display condition is set correctly

• The idle timeout is configured

• The device has been inactive long enough